Get Your Glad Rags On - Festive Outfit Inspiration

One of my favourite parts of the Festive Season is all the parties and get togethers! I love seeing everyone getting in the Christmas spirit, putting tinsel in their hair and layering themselves in tacky jumpers!!!

For me, the 3 big outfits to plan are The Christmas Party, Christmas/Boxing Day, and of course New Years Eve! I've been browsing the web non-stop for the past week looking for the ideal selections and there's some right crackers out there (sorry, I had to get that in there!)

ACCESSORIZE SIMPLE RIBBED TORQ COLLAR NECKLACE

LIPSY BANDEAU JUMPSUIT

YSL LE ROUGE PUR COUTURE LIPSTICK

CARVELLA KURT GEIGER GOSH HEELS

The Christmas Party is that moment to show the office how glam you really are away from the spreadsheets and stats! I love the look of this Lipsy Jumpsuit, it will be super flattering on (slim those legs and bum) and show off that gorgeous waist of yours! Paired with some simple accessories it's really going to make you look a million dollars. For hair I think either a big bun, or full on Jessica Rabbit bouncy curls to really get those office hotties staring!

ZARA PRINTED DRESS

ALEX MONROE CALABRIA THREE FLOWER RING

PRETTY POLLY TIGHTS

BLACK FUR COLLAR

Boxing Day is all about taking time to relax and enjoy the company of your loved ones (not to mention that tin of Quality Street!) With a few visits to family and a few classic Christmas films it's important to be comfortable. I love this printed dress from Zara and with a little bit of fur wrapped round you you'll keep warm and look très glam!

RIVER ISLAND BLACK LEATHER LOOK PENCIL SKIRT

MISS SELFRIDGE GOLD RUSH EMBELLISHED CAMI TOP

MISS SELFRIDGE EMBELLISHED CAMI CROP TOP

ACCESSORIZE MIRRORED HARDCASE CLUTCH

NYE 2014 ... the countdown.

After watching Gatsby this year I have become a tad obsessed with the gorgeous 1920's embellished style. Everything is so pretty, detailed and feminine. Miss Selfridge have hit the nail on the head with these Camisoles (not forgetting the dresses in store). I think they'll look perfect paired with an on trend leather pencil skirt and a big up do. The perfect ensemble to bring in the New Year with a few bubbles... if you're lucky there might even people doing the charleston and pouring glitter from oversized lavish bottles of Champagne!

What's your favourite outfit you've planned?

Stevie

xoxo

MissGuided Black Velvet Swing Dress OOTD

MISSGUIDED INES VELVET STRAPPY SWING DRESS

 BARRY M NAIL PAINT IN BERRY

URBAN OUTFITTERS CROSS NECKLACE

PRIMARK WHITE LONG SLEEVE TSHIRT

PRIMARK COSY 300 DENIER TIGHTS

Layering in for A/W has been in trend for a while now but it's only this year I've ventured out and tried layering with a strap dress and a tshirt!

I saw this gorgeous Black Velvet Swing Dress on MissGuided and thought it would be a great addittion to my Winter wardrobe. It looks gorgeous and cosy dressed down for the day time, and it's easy enough to glam up with a pair of chunky heels and a leather jacket for the evening.

Have you tried the velvet trend?

Stevie
xoxo

A Mexican Fiesta!

Over the festive period there's no better excuse to get together with some of your besties for a themed dinner party! There's so many themes out there you could go with - Christmas, Geisha, American or my personal favourite MEXICANA!!!!

I ordered some props from Flingers Party Shop to really set the scene. They arrived so quickly, were well packaged and were perfect for the night! 

STRAW MEXICAN SOMBRERO* £3.99

BUSHY GRINGO TASH* £1.29

NEON MARACAS* £1.99

MEXICAN FIESTA CUTOUTS* £2.29

For the food I planned a banquet fit for a matador!!! Chicken Enchilada's, Beef Tacos, Chips & Dip, Potato Wedges and my favourite, Avocado Salad! All yummy and packed with fresh vegetables so you don't have to feel quite so guilty.

For the Enchilada's I used the Asda Kit, it's great value for money and really tasty (I prefer it over the Old El Paso kit!) I stuffed these with chicken, peppers and onions and top with cheese. For the Beef Tacos I browned the mince and added the seasoning (for me personally this didn't have enough flavour or spice so still going to keep searching for the perfect taco recipe!) I lined the shells with lettuce, spooned in mince and sprinkled a little bit of cheese.

 

The Avocado Salad is my absolute fave, so easy to make and it brings a POP of colour to the table. Serve it with a big side of Sour Cream and it'll go down a storm I promise!

INGREDIENTS (Serves 4)

2 Avocado's

2 Red Onions

1 Punnet of Cherry Tomatoes

1 Lime

METHOD

1. Slice the Cherry Tomatoes in half

2. Cut the Avocado in to squares (keep it nice and chunky!)

3. Slice the Red Onion into cubes

4. Mix together in a big bowl and top with a squeeze of lime

For pudding I wanted something with a bit more of a kick... especially as it's coming up to the festive season! While in Jamaica I drunk a lot of Pina Colada's so I wanted to recreate this for the girls. I grabbed the ingredients,  whizzed it all together and served. They were strong but disappeared quickly and there were a lot of giggles after!

INGREDIENTS (Serves 4)

Pineapple

Pineapple Juice

Coconut Milk

Rum (White or Dark)

METHOD

1. Pour Rum into blender (I used one shot per person)

2. Add the whole tin of Coconut Milk

3. I added around half of the Pineapple Juice (you can always add more to make it less strong)

4. Add loads of ice and blend!!

5. Pour into glasses and decorate with fresh Pineapple on the rim

6. Wait for the giggles to kick in!

Ole'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What's your favourite Dinner Party to host?

Stevie
xoxo

Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder - Blondes Review

It's 4am, you're tired, dressed for maximum comfort and fed up of carrying your heavy hand luggage - if there's one thing that can make this situation better it's DUTY FREE!

I travelled to Jamaica from Gatwick and although I'm not a huge fan of it's out of date Terminal I just had to have a cheeky look in Duty Free. I picked up some essentials (MAC Brow Pencil & Chanel Mascara) but I had my heart set on Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder before I even left for the airport. I had been watching some Millie Mackintosh video's on YouTube for that ultimate dewy bronzed makeup inspiration and she mentioned she loved to use this... so like the Makeup Addict I am I had to pick it up!

GUERLAIN TERRACOTTA LIGHT SHEER BRONZING POWDER - £34

Before purchasing this bronzer I only owned one other Guerlain product which was the Lingerie de Peau Foundation (because it was recommended by Grazia!) I always felt like Guerlain was more of a 'mature' makeup brand and that they woudn't do anything fun or trendy. That all changed when I had my makeup done on their counter in my local John Lewis - the woman who done it was my age in the 60's and she was incredible at makeup. She applied the best smokey eye I've ever seen and she had loads of stories about makeup from the 60's to go along with it!

Like everything Guerlain do the packaging is just delicious. It feels heavy, looks glam and is beatiful on the inside as well as the outside. The bronzer has a slight rose smell to it but it's not overwhelming and it feels very light when on.

I apply all my other makeup first and use this last, kind of like a little extra oomph to my look. The mix of bronzes, peaches and pinks really bring out that glow in your skin and make you look radiant. To apply I lightly swirl my Bobbi Brown Bronzer Brush and then buff into my cheeks and temples, I usually finish by doing a quick sweep of the brush all over my face.

I really love the overall look this product gives, it feels exspensive to use and you are left with a gorgoeus glow. I'm not sure how great it will look when my tan fades but I think it's a great bronzer for summer (and the weekend with lots of fake tan!) I used to love Bobbi Brown's Shimmer Bricks but this is a lot more subtle and ideal for everyday wear.

Have you tried any Guerlain products?

Stevie

xoxo